According to a source in Italy, Pep Guardiola is attempting to convince Manchester City to recruit Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan.
Bastoni’s Inter contract is about to expire, which has prompted some exit links. Longtime supporters of the 23-year-old, Man City have expressed renewed interest in him in a Calciomercato update.
According to the article, Guardiola reportedly told Man City to go after Bastoni if he becomes available.
He might theoretically take the position of left-footed defender Aymeric Laporte at Etihad Stadium after seeing his playing time cut back.
City may have more hope if it is true, as it has been said, that Inter will put Bastoni up for sale if they are unable to reach an agreement with him on a contract extension. In connection with a Trevoh Chalobah swap, Bastoni has also been mentioned in connection with Chelsea.
Yet there is now more optimism in Calciomercato that Bastoni and Inter might still be able to come to an agreement to work together in the future.
According to the article, Bastoni’s top priority is still to remain at Inter. In fact, a deal might be reached to raise his income to about €6 million every season, plus bonuses.
Hence, his weekly basic salary might be just over £100,000 each week.
How likely is it that Bastoni, a target for Man City, will be free?
Yet City might not be completely out of luck. Some rumors have even claimed Inter may have to trade Bastoni even after extending his contract because of their present financial difficulties.
Yet, the most recent data from Calciomercato does not suggest that such a result will occur. Instead, according to the source, a new contract for Bastoni would help put a stop to rumors of a transfer to the Premier League.
As Inter prepares to lose Milan Skriniar on a free transfer, keeping Italy international has taken on greater significance.
They have been connected to Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof to fill the vacancy. Yet Inter will need some stability, so it will be in their best interest to keep Bastoni for the long haul.
Laporte’s replacement may need to be found elsewhere, according to City. But they still need to watch Bastoni until he commits to Inter.
Bastoni, who is still relatively young, has developed into one of Serie A’s top defenders. He has now made 150 appearances for Inter, and there may be many more to come.
Despite the City’s curiosity, which is only reasonable, it appears that Bastoni may not be within their grasp after all.